Defending the Maritime Rules-Based Order: Perspectives from the Indo-Pacific

Maritime disputes are multifaceted. They include overlapping claims of sovereignty and jurisdiction, contests over freedom of navigation, island-building and militarization, and the use of ‘grey zone’ tactics to harass, intimidate and advance strategic interests. Maritime disputes have become highly visible microcosms of broader discord between the US-led regional security order, and challenger conceptions of order that see a bigger role for rising powers in generating new rules and alternative interpretations of existing international law.

The 2019 US Indo-Pacific strategy report outlined expectations that US allies and partners would contribute to a regional ‘rules-based order’ and share US responsibilities for defending the region against common threats in maritime domains. But it is not clear that the US and its allies and partners have the same understanding of maritime order or the rules that support it. This presentation will compare and contrast the maritime security interests of key Indo-Pacific states and their attitudes to maritime rules, and reflect on the potential implications for regional maritime order building.

*** Capacity at the venue is limited and door sales may not be available. Pre-purchase tickets early to avoid disappointment!
This event is being held at the University Club Case Study Room on level 1 ***

If you are unable to purchase tickets online, please call the Secretary on (08) 6225 2515 or email wa.branch@internationalaffairs.org.au to book a seat.

About the speaker:
Dr Bec Strating is a Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations in the Department of Politics, Media and Philosophy at La Trobe University, Melbourne. Bec’s current research focuses on maritime disputes in the Indo-Pacific, Law of the Sea and Australian foreign policy. She received her PhD in politics from Monash University in 2013 and has produced two monographs and numerous scholarly publications. Bec is currently an Asian Studies Visiting Fellow at East West Center in Washington DC, and a non-resident fellow at Georgetown University, Washington DC, and Perth US-Asia Centre. In 2018, her article on the Timor Sea maritime dispute was awarded the Boyer Prize for best article published in the Australian Journal of International Affairs in 2017. Bec regularly contributes to debates about politics and foreign policy in media and policy forums, is a commissioning editor of Australian Outlook and has testified in Australian federal parliament as an expert witness.